Indoor practice golf target



Nov. 10, 1942. w, D. WILLINGHAM 2,301,767

INDOOR PRACTICE GOLF TARGET Filed July 24, 1941 INVENTOR av aajfm%.

ATTOR NEYS Patented Nov. 10, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE INDOOR PRACTICE GOLF TARGET William D'. Willingham, Little Rock, Ark.

Application July 24, 1941, Serial No. 403,917

1 Claim.

This invention relates to golf targets, and more particularly to those in which a ball, on striking the. target, is retained in such a manner as to indicate the score made by that ball.

I realize that several devices for the practice of the game of golf have been developed. However, as far as I am aware, no one has as yet utilized the various advantageous features and structure of the target which is embodied in my invention.

The object of this invention is a suitable device for practicing the game of golf.

Another object is a target for golf balls which will retain whatever balls hit it.

A further object is a target for golf balls which will deliver the balls which hit into a place convenient for the player.

A still further object is a golf target which will positively indicate the score of the player.

These and other objects may be accomplished by my invention which embodies among its features a target comprised of metallic concentric rings, a retaining means at the rear of the spaces between the rings, said retaining means consisting of tubes, of a generally spiral shape to prevent rebound, adapted to retain golf balls and let them run through ducts into open troughs for reuse. There is a separate tube, duct, and trough for each ring, so that the player may compute his score by noting the distribution of balls in the troughs.

Other objects and features may become evi dent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a side view illustrating the use of my device,

Figure 2 is a front view of my device,

Figure 3 is a cross-section taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a partial rear view of the target, and

Figure 5 is a cross-section of one of the channels, as shown in Figure 3 and drawn to a larger scale.

Referring to the drawing in detail, my device consists of a plurality of rings l0 (Figure 2) separated by metallic partitions II. It is intended the various 'rings represent certain values or scores and suitable markers i2, made of flexible material not to interfere with the balls and carrying suitable indicia, are placed on the rings as shown.

. form annular tubes.

The partitions ll (Figures 3 and 4) consist of diagonally placed plates which are separated at their rear ends by spaces l3. The angle at which the plates are positioned with respect to each other is small enough that a ball going between the plates, will be deflected to the rear and through the spaces I3. Behind each such space is a ball-catching means which consists of a spiral cross-sectioned tube [4 covered with felt or similar rough material to dump the rebound of the balls. At the inner end of the spiral there is also a bumper I5, formed of soft material to stop the balls. Thus, when a ball goes into one of the rings, it passes through space i3 and is trapped in tube l4 and moves by gravity to the lowest point of this tube.

At this lowest point a plurality of ducts l6 run to the several tubes. The lower ends of the ducts lead to various troughs ll. Each trough has suitable indicia indicating which ring communi cates with it. Therefore, when a ball is driven into one of the tubes I4, it runs down a duct to a trough, and it may be noted by observing which trough it is in which ring it entered.

In operation, the target is set-up, as shown in Figure 1, a suitable distance from the driving platform. A player takes a certain number of balls and drives them into the target, and they will be collected in troughs I1. By ascertaining their distribution in the troughs, he can compute his score, and also judge the accuracy of his drive. Although a preferred embodiment is set out above, I do not wish to be limited thereto but only by the scope of the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

A device of the character described comprising a conical center section having a forwardly directed apex and its rear portion rolled outwardly to form an annular ball receiving tube of spiral cross section, a plurality of frusto-conical sections disposed concentrically about the said center section and having a taper parallel to that other center section, the rear end of the said concentric sections also being shaped to form ball receiving tubes, and a plurality of concentric frusto-conical guide sections having a rearwardly diminishing taper disposed so that their front edges are within and in contact with the front edges of the said first mentioned sections and their rear edges projecting within the tubes to guide channels opening into the WILLIAM D. WILLINGHAM. 

